Arsenal Vs Southampton: The Rise To Prominence Of Rob Holding

Rob Holding was only signed this summer in a £2 million deal. He is now one of Arsenal’s key reserve players and enjoying a substantial rise to prominence.

Arsene Wenger has made his name out of developing young players. While other successful managers throughout the Premier League era have made their name on their nous in the transfer window, their tactical discernment or their man management skills, at Arsenal, Wenger has relied on his acquiring and then coaching of talent.

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There are few managers that are as adept at scouring the market,  finding talented youngsters, bringing them in for relative peanuts and then gradually easing them into first team action, improving and honing their talent all the while.

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There are many examples of Wenger’s skill with young players, the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Hector Bellerin have all greatly benefitted from the wonders of Wenger’s coaching. Now, though, there is a new kid on the block, and he is once more vindicating Wenger’s ability in nurturing young players.

After signing Bolton Wanderers’ Fans’ Player of the Year in the summer for £2 million, there was some doubt surrounding Wenger’s rather risky decision. Rob Holding had only enjoyed limited senior experience, had struggled to establish himself as a talent before that season and had no game time against top-tier opposition. All of these worries were ultimately futile.

During the preseason, Holding looked calm and assured in possession, dominating in the air and positionally far beyond his young years would suggest. He immediately outplayed Calum Chambers, the man who was seen as Wenger’s long-term hope at centre-half, and when Laurent Koscielny returned for the trip to Leicester City in only the second game of the season, in choosing his partner, Wenger shunned Chambers in favour of the newly signed Holding.

With the EFL Cup on the horizon, a competition that Wenger has often looked to exploit in trying to give his young stars the precious game time that is so vital in their development, Holding is set to start once again, this time as one of the more established members of the team.

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His rise to prominence has been surprising, significant and extremely impressive. He is set for a long and prosperous career in North London. He and Wenger deserve great credit for what they’ve achieved thus far and for the potential of what is to come.